Razaq Bamidele
As the crisis of confidence between the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa festers, our correspondent get across on phone to the state chapter Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Alex Kalejaye to sound him out over the problem vis a vis the governorship election coming up in the state next year.
Below are the excerpts from the brief interaction:
How comfortable is Ondo APC over the crisis between the governor and his deputy?
Well, to the best of my knowledge, Mr. Governor has not come out and announced that he has issues with his Deputy. Conjectures abound though.
The State House of Assembly claims to have stumbled upon some unwholesome activities, and the lawmakers are providing opportunity for the man concerned, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa, to explain his level of involvement.
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No one should expect the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be comfortable. Preparation for governorship is on the top gear, and we are expected to promote cohesion within our fold, so we can prosecute the election as a family. We have been working hard in the last couple of months, supervising the castration of other political parties, by wooing their gladiators. We are expected to promote unity and understanding.
However, it is impossible for anyone to stop the State Assembly from doing its job. It is a unique arm of the State Government.
If one may ask, why did the party allow the crisis to degenerate to this level before trying to do something?
At a time like this, it is preposterous for anyone to think the State chapter has not made moves to tame the situation. While no one expects the party to celebrate its efforts on pages of newspapers or social media, it is imperative that the party has put in genuine efforts before the situation came to the fore. The party secretariat would not relent to ensure that all the actors operate within the constitutionally allowed premise.
Hasn’t the war created or creating problem for the Party in the state?
The crisis, as I said earlier, is not what we need now, yet we believe it would avail all actors the opportunity to explain or respond to allegations.
However, it has not debarred us from pursuing our membership drive, and other preparations ahead of governorship primaries.
Don’t you think the crisis could affect the party’s electoral fortunes in the next outing?
Crisis in a political setting is not the best. We only hope and pray it doesn’t. Every member of APC in Ondo is zealous about retaining the State for our party. Therefore, the leadership will continue to intensify efforts to ensure we find a way round the whole stuff.
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We are convinced that this phase will pass away, and the chapter will come out more fortified, and in better stead to win election.
Can you assess the performance of the APC in Ondo with a view to convincing the world that it is the party of the people?
The best assessment anyone can anchor on now is based on outcome of the last general elections. The results were so convincing.
In the presidential election, Ondo State presented the highest percentage (about 68) to the ruling APC. The party won the three senatorial seat, eight out of nine members of the Federal House, and all but four State House of Assembly members. If you ask me, I think that is an incontrovertible assessment of the strength and popularity of APC in Ondo State.
With all the above, the State Executive Committee, under the dynamic leadership of Engr. Ade Adetimehin, has refused to be at ease. The Party has harvested so many active members of other political parties, who are properly integrated into the fold, and are eager to prove their worth, come next year.